Mark 5:3
What does Mark 5:3 mean?
A plain-English look at Mark 5:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Mark 5:3 means
The man's dwelling in the tombs emphasizes his utter separation from human society and his deep defilement according to Jewish law. The fact that no one could bind him, even with chains, illustrates the immense, supernatural strength inflicted by the unclean spirit. The repeated failures of human attempts to restrain him highlight the complete helplessness of people against such powerful spiritual forces.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000who had his dwelling in the tombs: and no man could any more bind him, no, not with a chain;
KJV
King James Version · 1611Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901who had his dwelling in the tombs: and no man could any more bind him, no, not with a chain;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949He was living in the place of the dead: and no man was able to keep him down, no, not with a chain;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862who had his dwelling in the tombs, and not even with chains was any one able to bind him,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Who had his dwelling in the tombs, and no man now could bind him, not even with chains.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890who had his dwelling in the tombs; and no one was able to bind him, not even with chains;
Context
Building on the previous verse, this describes the man's terrifying condition and the extent of his bondage. It provides crucial background, showing the futility of human efforts against the demonic, thereby magnifying the power of Jesus who is about to intervene.
v.2And when he was come out of the boat, straightway there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit,
v.3This passage
v.4because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been rent asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: and no man had strength to tame him.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Luke 8:29
For he was commanding the unclean spirit to come out from the man. For oftentimes it had seized him: and he was kept under guard, and bound with chains and fetters; and breaking the bands asunder, he was driven of the demon into the deserts.
- Mark 9:18
and wheresoever it taketh him, it dasheth him down: and he foameth, and grindeth his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast it out; and they were not able.
- Daniel 4:32
and thou shalt be driven from men; and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field; thou shalt be made to eat grass as oxen; and seven times shall pass over thee; until thou know that the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.
- Isaiah 65:4
that sit among the graves, and lodge in the secret places; that eat swine’s flesh, and broth of abominable things is in their vessels;
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